Arms like Madonna…but not in a scary going to beat you up kind of way…
One time one of my clients called her under arm flab her “angel wings.” Darling right? If you’re 70 like she was…then you can pull of saying things like that. Most of us would rather have super buff movie star arms. Here are some of the best ways you can tone up your upper body.
1# The Push up.
You can’t beat it. It will tone all of the muscles in your upper body, and work your core as well. There are so many ways you can incorporate these into your workouts.
I am a HUGE fan of anything circuit related or that will activate your core while you do it. Try some of these…
Another great way to incorporate push ups into your workout is to drop and do ten push ups in between every set of exercises your workout. It gets hard…promise.
You can also try this…
#2 Work the triceps.
The muscle that runs along the back of the arm is the triceps muscle. Push ups will tone up this muscle but you can also try…
#3 Decrease your body fat.
I hate to break it to you, but spot reduction just isn’t possible. You can’t pick to lose weight in one area. You have to lose weight all over. You can focus on toning areas, but you have to get rid of the fat to be able to see the toned muscles. You can decrease your body fat and increase your lean muscle mass through cardio/resistance training, circuit training, and improving your eating habits.
i adore pushups, no really! they work wonders too!
LC
I hate push-ups! I think its because they were always used as punishment in high school sports.
However I’m a fan of planks!
Thanks Megan! Very helpful 🙂
I HATE pushups and will take the easy way out anytime I can. My pilates instructor tries to get us to do these hovering planks where we have to step out and in. Crazy hard. I do love working my triceps – dips, kickbacks, skull crushers. I refuse to have batwings.
cant say push ups are enjoyable, but youre very right, its not only for your arms but can def. feel the burn in the abs region as well, so weighing out the pain VS benefits,…. eh, i gotta like the odds (:
I have a ganglion cyst on my wrist that makes push-ups really painful. I have found that I can do them on closed fists and it doesn’t hurt my wrist… as much.
I love that you following up “Improving your eating habits….” with a yogurt giveaway! Ahh sweet irony. Wish I lived in Utah so I could participate 🙂
I LOVE push-ups! (especially on the BOSU!) Not manyt hings make you feel stronger than real push-ups!
I love pushups. I’m currently doing the 100 pushup challenge (I’m doing them girl-style, but I’m hoping to start the cycle again doing them regularly after I finish them this way). I’m on week 3, and I’m already seeing improved definition in my arms!
love hate relationship with pushups. they are awesome though!
no yogurtland in Pittsburgh- we have Razzy Fresh. Big bummer! This post has definitely inspired me to add more pushups–I hate them but lord knows they’re effective!
I LOVE push ups too. They never fail to make me sore, I also love planks 🙂
ghhha, i’ve been looking for a change up to my boring pushups! THANK YOU!!